Prof. Jamal Sanad Al Suwaidi is a UAE intellectual, writer and strategic expert, and is the Director General of the Emirates Center for Strategic Studies and Research (ECSSR) from 1994 to present. He was born in 1959, and earned his BS degree in political science from Kuwait University in 1981 and his MA and Ph.D. degrees in political science from the University of Wisconsin in 1985 and 1990, respectively. In 1992, he became a visiting lecturer at the University of Wisconsin where he taught a course on the Politics of the Middle East and North Africa. He was also a Professor in Political Science Department at the UAE University in Al Ain (1991-2000) where he taught different courses and seminars.

Prof. Al Suwaidi has authored several books, including “Eternal Imprints: Figures that Made History and Others that Changed the Future of their Countries” (2016), The Mirage (2015), Prospects for the American Age: Sovereignty and Influence in the New World Order (2014), From Tribe to Facebook: The Transformational Role of Social Networks (2013) – which featured on the best-seller list of the Emarat Al Youm newspaper, which is published in the United Arab Emirates– and authored United Arab Emirates Society: A Future Perspective, Emirates Lecture Series # 71, (Abu Dhabi, ECSSR 2003) and it was also published as a chapter titled (A Future Perspective) for The UAE Society, by the UAE University (2004). He wrote a chapter titled (Arab and Western Conceptions of Democracy: Evidence from a UAE Opinion Survey) for Democracy, War and Peace in the Middle East with David Garnham and Mark Tessler (1995), edited Islamic Political Movements and Authority in the Arab World: The Rise and Fall in 2014, was a contributing author to The Gulf Co-operation Council: Prospects for the Twenty-first Century in 1998, and participated in the preparation and editing of Air/Missile Defense, Counter Proliferation and Security Policy Planning in 2000. He also provided the introduction, conclusion and editing for The Yemeni War of 1994: Causes and Consequences in 1995, as well as the Introduction and a chapter titled (The Gulf Security Dilemma: The Arab Gulf States, The United States, and Iran) for Iran and the Gulf: A Search for Stability in 1996, which won prizes for Best Publisher, Best Arabic Book in the Humanities and Social Sciences, and Best Writing at the Sixteenth Annual Sharjah World Book Fair, held on November 4, 1997. He wrote a chapter titled (A Future Perspective of the GCC) for The Future of the GCC, Emirates Lecture Series # 29 in collaboration with a group of writers. (Abu Dhabi, ECSSR. 1998).

Prof. Jamal Al Suwaidi is the author of numerous articles in the UAE, Arab and Gulf newspapers. He is frequently interviewed by newspapers and TV channels, and the latest Press Interview were to “Euro News – French Republic”: “Supporting the Muslim Brotherhood is an American and European Interest against Arabs and Muslims” on October 23rd, 2016 and to “New Europe – Brussels, Belgium”: “The Mirage: Tackling terrorism with education and security” on October 24th, 2016. He participated in a number of national, Arab and international conferences and seminars. He is also the Editor in Chief for the ECSSR’s scholarly, refereed periodical “Strategic Visions” which started in 2012, and he writes articles for the ECSSR’s Aafaq Al Mustaqbal magazine in Arabic. He also writes a monthly article titled "Personalities and Accomplishments" in the UAE’s Al-Ittihad Newspaper and the founder of "Points of View" in the same newspaper in 1999.

Prof. Al Suwaidi is a member of several political science associations such as the Midwest Political Science Association and the American Political Science Association. He is a former board member of Georgetown University's Center for Contemporary Arab Studies (CCAS) in the U.S, in addition to his membership of the board of research consultants of the Institute for Foreign policy Analysis (IFPA) in the U.S. He is also a former member of the UAE National Media Council and a member of the Board of Advisors at the School of Policy and International Affairs, University of Maine in the U.S. He is a member of the Arab Thought Forum in the Kingdom of Jordan and a former member of the Advisory Board of the Center of Excellence for Applied Research and Training (CERT/ Higher Colleges of Technology in Abu Dhabi, UAE), as well as a former Member of the Administration Board of the Emirates Diplomatic Institute in the UAE. He is also the Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Scholarship Office affiliated to the Ministry of Presidential Affairs since 1998 and a former member of the Advisory Board of Translation Studies at the United Arab Emirates University. He is a former Chairman of the Board for the Emirates National Schools for several years and former Council Member at Zayed University. In 2009, he was appointed Chairman of the Higher Committee for the preparation of the National Strategy for Childhood and Motherhood in the United Arab Emirates. He was granted membership for the International Advisory Board of The E-City for HM King Hamad Ibn Isa Al Khalifa of the Kingdom of Bahrain in January 2010. Prof. Al Suwaidi is a trustee of the Emirati-Swiss Friendship Platform and a member of the Advisory Board of Casa Arabe of Spain. In 2012, he was named as a member of the Supreme Council for the National Defence College. On May 19, 2015, Prof. Al Suwaidi was appointed Chairman of the Founding Committee for the Care of Cancer Patients by Decree No. (13) for the year 2015, issued by the Secretary-General of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council. On January 22, 2016, Prof. Al Suwaidi was appointed to the Advisory Board of the Center for International Studies at the University of St. Thomas in Houston, Texas, USA.

Prof. Jamal Sanad Al Suwaidi has been awarded a number of awards and medals. In 1995 he was awarded the Legion of Merit (Commander Degree) from the late King Hassan II of the Kingdom of Morocco, and in 2002, he was awarded the French Order of Merit (First Class) by the French Republic President. The President of the United Arab Emirates, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan presented the Emirates Appreciation Award for Science, Arts and Literature in its Third Round for 2008 to Prof. Jamal Al-Suwaidi. In 2012, he was awarded the “Abu Dhabi Medal” by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces. In 2012, he received the “Unique Leadership and Futuristic Vision Award” from the Emirates Identity Authority. In 2013, he was awarded the “Key to the City of Fez”. In 2013, the President of the United Arab Emirates, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan presented the ‘Head of State Merit Award’ to Prof. Jamal Sanad Al Suwaidi for the second time in recognition of his patriotism and sincere achievements and as a role model for upholding the “Values of Giving”. In 2014, he received the “Mediterranean Award for Diplomacy” from the Fondazione Mediterraneo. The award was conferred in recognition of his efforts and contributions toward bringing nations closer and promoting the concept of “cultural diplomacy” based on knowledge and thought. On 28 September 2014, he was awarded the “Key to the City of Alexandria” in recognition of his efforts in supporting culture. In 2015, he received the “Knight of Arab Studies” Award from the Arab Producers Union, an affiliate of the Arab League. Prof. Al Suwaidi also received the “Arab Social Media Influencers Award 2015 – Politics Category for Institutions” granted by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to the Emirates Center for Strategic Studies and Research. On May 28, 2015, Al Tawasol International Tent in Abu Dhabi gave Prof. Al Suwaidi an Appreciation Certificate in recognition of his pioneering and outstanding role in spreading the culture of scholarly research. On June 2, 2015, The Cultural and Scientific Association Sultan Bin Ali Al Owais Cultural Foundation presented Prof. Jamal Sanad Al Suwaidi Cultural Personality of the Year Award in the 22nd edition of the Award. On July 2, 2015, Prof. Jamal Sanad Al Suwaidi was awarded the UAE Merit for Humanitarian Action by the Sixth Zayed Humanitarian Forum in recognition of his efforts in the field of social and humanitarian work at the Arab and international levels. On July 29, 2015, Prof. Jamal Sanad Al Suwaidi was nominated by the senior leadership of the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs to represent the country in the GCC Award for Excellence in the Field of Studies and Research. On September 2015, the UAE Interim Committee on Textbooks honored Prof. Jamal Sanad Al Suwaidi in recognition of his efforts in the Committee. On November 2, 2015, he was honored by His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Culture, Youth and Community Development, at the 2015 BCS Networking Forum for the strategic role and fruitful partnership carried out with the BCS - Chartered Institute for IT. On November 09, 2015, H.E. Prof. Jamal Sanad Al Suwaidi was honored by the UAE’s Al Ittihad newspaper. He was presented with a commemorative shield in recognition and appreciation of his role in supporting Al Ittihad’s 10th Annual Forum. On November 17, 2015, H.E. Prof. Jamal Sanad Al Suwaidi was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Political Science and International Relations from the University of Lugano, Switzerland. He was also elected a member of the University’s Academic Council. On December 7, 2015, Prof. Jamal S. Al Suwaidi was honoured by His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Emir of Qatar, Chairman of the 35th session of the GCC Supreme Council, becoming the first recipient of the GCC Award of Excellence in Research and Studies. On December 13, 2015, Prof. Al Suwaidi was awarded a Certificate of Appreciation from the Arab Youth Council for Integrated Development, Cairo, the Arab Republic of Egypt, in recognition of his efforts authoring “The Mirage”. On January 27, 2016, Prof. Al Suwaidi received the PRIX APEMA 2015 for Arab-European Cooperation, awarded by the Association of European Press for the Arab World (APEMA) in collaboration with the Institute of European Prospects and Security (IPSE). Also, He was awarded the Geopolitical Studies Award 2015 from the Observatory of Geopolitical Studies (OEG) at the French Senate. The OEG also granted His Excellency membership of its Scientific Council. On April 05, 2016, Prof. Al Suwaidi was awarded the Revolutionary Thinker Award from the College of William & Mary, the United States of America. On April 07, 2016, The Mirage was awarded the Sheikh Zayed Book Award for Contribution to the Development of Nations at the award’s tenth session (2015-2016). On 08 April 2016, Prof. Al Suwaidi was awarded the Naguib Mahfouz Award for Literature in recognition of his role in achieving world peace by Dr. Tarek Mahfouz, the nephew of the writer Naguib Mahfouz, during the first annual ceremony of the award, organized by Naguib Mahfouz’s family in the state of New York. Prof. Al Suwaidi was presented with the ‘Contribution to the Development of Nations’ Sheikh Zayed Book Award on May 1, 2016 for his book “The Mirage” by H.H. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs. On May 30, 2016, he was awarded “UAE Medal for Voluntary Work” in appreciation of the support he has given to the events and activities of the Zayed Giving Initiative as well as the social, voluntary, and humanitarian initiatives of the pioneers of volunteer work. On June 4, 2016, he was awarded the ‘Arab Eagle Award for Public Management’ by Tatweej Academy for Excellence Awards in the Arab Region. On September 04, 2016, he was honored by HE Riyadh Yaseen, former Yemeni Foreign Minister, and Feras Farouq Al-Yafai, head of the ‘Thank You UAE’ and coordinator of the ‘Thank You Decisive Kingdom’ campaigns in appreciation for his efforts in supporting the Yemeni people in the face of aggression. As well, The UAE Ministry of Education chose a collection of H.E. Prof. Al Suwaidi’s books, including The Mirage, to be taught as part of the curriculum for preparatory and secondary students for the academic year 2016-2017. On November 28, 2016, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, honored Prof. Jamal Sanad Al Suwaidi in the third session of the UAE Pioneers Initiative. On January 3, 2017, L.U.de.S University, in Switzerland, appointed Prof. Jamal Sanad Al-Suwaidi “Professor of Political Sciences and Literature”. On March 12, 2017 the Emirates Conference for Volunteering honored H.E. Prof. Jamal Sanad Al-Suwaidi. His Excellency was awarded the Emirates Medal for Volunteer Work in appreciation of his generosity, benevolence, innovation and excellence. On March 21, 2017, the Universal Peace Federation awarded H.E. Prof. Jamal Sanad Al-Suwaidi the title of Ambassador for Peace, in recognition of his great and continuous efforts to promote the culture of tolerance, moderation and acceptance of the others among different peoples and cultures of the world.

Prof. Al Suwaidi conducted a cultural and intellectual tour around the world to create a scientific and academic discussion regarding his book "Prospects for the American Age" in 2014 with the most prominent thinkers and academics in the world. This tour included Arab and Western countries such as Kingdom of Bahrain, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Kingdom of Morocco, Kingdom of Jordan, Egypt, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, France, Germany, Italy and Turkey.

In addition, in 2015 and 2016, Prof. Jamal Sanad Al-Suwaidi conducted seminars and cultural and intellectual world tours in order to create a scientific and academic dialogue with the most prominent symbols of culture and thought in the world around his book “The Mirage”. These tours were to Arab and Western countries including: the Kingdom of Bahrain, the State of Kuwait, the Kingdom of Morocco, the Arab Republic of Egypt, the United States of America, the French Republic, the Kingdom of Belgium, the Republic of Serbia, and the Republic of Montenegro. On April 12, 2017, Prof. Jamal Sanad Al-Suwaidi met with His Holiness, Pope Francis, at the Vatican in Rome, and presented His Holiness with a copy of the renowned book, The Mirage.

Prof. Al Suwaidi has provided consultations to several entities in addition to the numerous military and political consultations that are related to his job as the political advisor to His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.

Prof. Al Suwaidi is married with four children. He is an art collector and enjoys and practices sports. On November 28, 2003, Prof. Jamal S. Al Suwaidi was diagnosed with T-Cell Lymphoblastic Lymphoma. He is in remission and recovered well, after receiving intensive treatment at the MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas, USA, till summer 2004 and continued treatment till summer 2012. In 2009 he underwent pelvic reconstruction surgery in Germany.